Drop pit apparatus



Feb. 27, 1940. F, FO S 2,191,710

DROP PIT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 8, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 27, 1940; F. FQNES DROP PIT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 8, 1938 a She ts-Sheet 2 h .4351 JEZGLS Feb. 27, 1940. F. FQNES I 2,191,710

DROP PIT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 8, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 fave/ 23177" fiizfifozes Patented Feb. 27, 1949 stares- UlTE tit

or'rics Dnor err APPARATUS,

Frank-Folios, Harvey, E11,, assignor to Whiting Corporation, Harvey, 1111., a corporation of illinois Application December 8, 1938, Serial No. 244,577 is Claims. (01. ran-32) ers,-which are spaced apart vertically and engage '10 the guide-columns to guide the lifting-carriage freely and rectilinearly, so there will be no cramping of the carriage when there is'an unbalanced load on it or on the drop-table. This construction adapts the lifting-mechanism for use in a 15 narrow pit when desired, as well as a drop-table for a wide pit. I i Y Another object of the invention is to provide improved lifting-mechanism in which the liftingcarriage for the drop-table is provided with a drop-center below the top of the lifting-carriage to provide a work-space below the drop-table for access to the trucks or locomotives and cars, and which may be aligned with the usual inspectionpit between the rails of the track.

25 Another object of the invention is to provide a drop-table which is composed of separate sections, each section carrying a rail to bridge the pit andsuitable interfitting connections between 1 the sections and the lifting-carriage, whereby 30 both sections will be spotted or positioned and securedagainst longitudinal or transverse movement when the lifting-carriage and drop-table sections are engaged.

Another object of the'invention is to provide *3 improved liftin -mechanism for a drop-table in which a single guide-column is used at each end of the trolley to guide the vertical movement of the lifting-carriage and the drop-table supported thereby. I 40 Another object of the invention is to provide an improved drop-table which is formed of separate sections, each carrying a rail to bridge the pit, with a working space between them so that access may be had to a single-pair of power-wheels 4 which include a motor, from a platform on the lifting mechanism below ground level.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detail description.

The invention consists in the several novel fea- 5 tures which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective of a sectional drop-table embodying certain features 55 of the inventiomFig. 21s a perspective of the upform a rigid rectangular support.

per portion of a lifting-carriage embodying the invention. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lifting-mechanism with the sections of the droptable supported thereon. Fig. 4 is a'section-taken on line i-lof Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical section 5 through one of the guide-columns and illustrat ing one of the screws for lifting the carriage. Fig.

6 is an end elevation of the lifting-carriage en"- gaging the drop-table. Fig. '7 is a section! on line "i---l of Fig. 3, illustrating the lifting-carriage in 10 lowered position.

The invention is exemplified with a shop instaliation which usually comprises a. series of tracks on the shop-floor with rails 12 terminating at the sides of a pit or which intersects the floor- 16 tracks, a drop-table adapted to be raised or lowered the pit and composed of separate sections 0 and d, and a carriage for conjointly raising or lowering both table-sections. An inspection pit e is usually provided between the rails b to permit 20 a workman to move along under a train on the track for inspecting the trucks, wheels or motors of the trainequipment.

Each of the table-sections c, d is provided with a rail ill to bridge the aligned rails b at one side of '25 the track. These table-sections are spaced apart toprovide a work-space below floor-level for access to, and inspection of, the wheels or truck on the table. Each table-section comprises a longitudinal I-beam H underlying the rail-section Ill, an outer side-beam l2 of channel-stock and transverse angle-beams l3 and i4 adjacent the ends of the longitudinal and side-beams, all rigidly connected together, usually by welding, to

Each tablesection c, d is equipped with slidable bolts for releasablysupporting the section in pit-bridging position. A. bolt 25 is slidabl'y mounted in the outer side of each channel-beam I2 at each end of the section and a bolt H5 at each end of each I-beam l i. Bolts It are formed in sections fitting against the sides of the web of the beam II and are connected by pins i! so they can be shifted in unison. Z'he bolts for each table-section are shiftable by a hand-lever 58 which is fixed to a '4 cross-shaft it which is journaled in the beams I I and ii. A double arm or lever 20, fixed to shaft tions from the pit-wall or retracted to release them for raising or lowering of the sections by the lifting-mechanism hereinafter described. This construction exemplifies a drop-table composed of separate longitudinal sections, each equipped with means for releasably supporting it from the walls of the pit, with a space between the sections, extending below floor-level for providing access to the rolling stock on the table.

The lifting-mechanism for the drop-table is mounted on a trolley or truck 9 whichis provided with wheels g The trolley comprises a frame composed of side-beams g and cross-beams g rigidly secured together to form a support for the lifting-mechanism. The trolley-frame is relatively narrow to adapt it to travel in a narrow pit. A vertically movable lifting-carriage f is sup ported by the truck 9 and adapted to be lowered by a pair of screws 49, one located adjacent each end of the trolley and at the transverse center of the truck. The carriage f is guided vertically in the pit by columns f one of which is located adjacent each end of and at the transverse center of the truck. Each column f is fixedly secured to a gear-case #2 which is fixedly supported on the cross-beams g of the truck. Each screw 46 has affixed to its lower end a bevel-gear 413 in the gear-case 42. A shaft 45 is provided at each of its ends with a pinion M, engaging the gears 42, respectively, for rotating screws 46 to raise and lower the lifting-carriage An electric motor M5 is mounted on cross-beams 9 which are rigid with the truck-frame and is connected to drive shaft 65 through suitable speed-reducing gearing ll. The lifting carriage at each end engages a nut 41 threadedto the screws ii respectively, so that upon rotation of the screws in one direction, the nuts will be lowered to lower the lifting-carriage and when rotated in the opposite direction, will be rotated to raise nuts 4| and the lifting-carriage.

The lifting-carriage comprises a pair of longitudinally aligned end-members at the top of the carriage, each adapted to engage one of the drop-table sections, and a connecting drop-center structure between and below the end-members. The outer ends of the end-members terminate at the sides of the pit and their inner ends are spaced apart to form an inspection and workspace below the table and in the space between the table-sections. This space corresponds in longitudinal area substantially with the space between the table-sections c, d, so that there will be adequate room for a workman to work on or inspect the wheels, truck or motor on the truck on the drop-table. This work-space extends transversely across the lifting-carriage and between the sections of the inspection-pit e between the rails b on the shop-floor. Each endmember of the lifting-carriage j comprises sidebeams 25 of channel-stock, end-beam 26 of channel-stock, transverse I-beam 2i and channelbeam 28, all rigidly secured together to form a rigid structure. Vertically extending side-plates 3| are fixedly secured to the inner faces of the side-beams 25 and extend downwardly therefrom. Vertical channel-beams 29, 30 are rigidly secured to the inner and outer faces of the sideplates 3| and form vertically extending structural, members at the inner ends of the members of the lifting-carriage. Inner and outer channelbeams 32 are fixedly secured along the lower margins of the inner and outer faces of plates 3| to reinforce the plate-connection between the end-members and serve to support a work-platform 71. The end-members of the carriage, to-

gether with the vertically extending beam-struced to operate in a narrow pit and for separate,

longitudinally extending drop-table sections.

Heretofore, it has been deemed necessary to provide a series of four lifting devices, such asscrews, and guide-posts for avoiding cramping stresses between the lifting-carriage and its guides in order to prevent the carriage from being jammed, particularly when there is an offcenter load on the lifting-carriage. In order to prevent any tilting of the lifting-carriage which might cause binding between the carriage and the guideposts when asingle pair of posts and a single pair of screws are used, the invention exemplifies means between the carriage and the columns which prevents such jamming. This means comprises a pair of vertically spaced rollers 33 and 34 engaging each of the opposite outer faces of the flanges of columns which are formed of I-sections. Each pair of rollers 33, 34 is journaled in a pair of angle-plates 35 which are fixed to the inner faces of the side-beams 25 of the end-members of the lifting-carriage, respectively. These rollers, by engaging the opposite outer faces of the columns f and being vertically spaced apart, elfectively prevent any off-center load on the carriage or drop-table from cramping the lifting-carriage against the guidecolumns, or tilting of the carriage. This makes it possible to dispense with two of the four guidecolumns and lifting screws or devices usually used in drop-pit mechanismv for heavy rolling stock. Saddles 3d are fixed to the lifting-carriage and engage the nuts M.

The depending sides of the lifting-carriage,

which comprises plates 31, beams 29, 39 and 32,.

are disposed inwardly of the vertical planes of the beams g of the truck-frame so that when the lifting-carriage is lowered the lower portion thereof can be lowered inside of, or telescoped with, the side-beams of the truck, as illustrated .in Fig. 7.

In order to spot the table-sections c, d on the lifting-carriage f, and to secure the table-sections against lateral displacement when engaged by the lifting carriage, each end-member of the lifting-carriage is provided at each side with a pair of blocks 38 with inclined outer sides which are adapted to pass between the beams H and I2 of a table-section and each table-section is provided with a pair of lugs 39 on its outer side having convergent lower ends which are adapted to engage the inner faces of the side-beams 25 of each end-member of the lifting-carriage. As the lifting-carriage approaches the table-sections, the inclined sides of the blocks 38 will spot the carriage lengthwise of the pit to engage the table-sections and the inclined lower ends of lugs 39 will spot the drop-table transversely of the pit and relatively to the carriage.

In order to permit the lifting-carriage to be lowered so its lowered portion will telescope with the trolley-frame, the platform 71. is supported on beams. 32for vertical movement relatively to the lifting-carriage I: When the. lifting-carriage is lowered, the. platform will be lowered therewith until. it isarrested by angle-iron beams k it possible to. place the motor 46 and reduction gear All in the centerof the truck, in connection with a drop-center platform. Vertical. guiderodsh fixed to the platform It guide the platform vertically.

In some instances, it is desirable to operat the trolley in a narrow. pit and also in a wide pit. For the purpose of enabling this to be done,

movable lifting carriage comprising end-members platform Itplatform n is provided with extensions h which are hinged to its sides, as at h and are providedwith latches 72 for locking the extensions h into position to extend outwardly from the trated in Fig. 7, so that the lifting-mechanism can travel in anarrow pit. When the extensionsh are in the extended position illustrated in Fig. 2, the platform h can travel and will span a wide pit for the use of the operator during inspection" or work.

In operation, the table-sections c, d will be locked into projectingposition, as illustrated in Fig. l. The lifting-carriage, when "disengaged 'from the table, may traverse the pit to carry loads between tracks or places under which the pit extends. When a train or locomotive has been run onto the service-track or over thedroptable, and the carriage J has been shifted into on the equipment on the track. When. a pair of wheels with a truck is to be removed, it is first uncoupled from the locomotive or car while the lifting-carriage raises the table-sections above track-level, as well understood in the art.

When the table-sections are released from the pit by the manipulation of levers I8, the liftingcarriage can be lowered to drop the load for transfer to another point in the pit a. The telescoping of. the drop-center portion of the liftingcarriage avoidsexcessive height of the pit a."

While the lifting-mechanism has been de-..

scribed in connection with a table formed of longitudinally extending sections, itwill be understood that the lifting-mechanism is also adapted for handling'single section drop-tables.

The invention is not to be understood as restrictedto the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby' Letters Patent is:

1'. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel in a pit, a vertically at the top of the carriage and 'for' engaging dropetablesections, and a drop-center member,

Whenthe latches 7 are released I the sections 70 can be folded inwardly, asillusconnecting, and below, the end-members, which provides a work-space extending transversely across the carriage and between the end-members thereof,-mechanism, supported on the truck, for raising and lowering the carriage to shift the drop-table sections.

2. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel in a pit, a vertically movable lifting carriage comprising end-members at thetopof the carriage and for engaging drop-table. sections, and a drop-center -member, connecting, and below, the end-members, which provides a work-space extending transversely across the carriage and between the end-members thereof, a platform on the center-memberand mechanism, supported on the truck, forraising and lowering the carriage to shift the drop-table sections.

3. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel in a pit, a vertically movable lifting carriage comprising end-members at the topof the carriage and for engagingdrop-table sections, each comprising rigidly connected sideand cross-beams, and a dropcenter member connecting, and below, the endmembers, which provides a work-space extending transversely across thefcarriage and between theend-members thereof, a platform on the center-member and mechanism, supported on the truck, for raising and lowering the carriage to shift the dropet'able sections.

4. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel in'a pit, a vertically movable lifting-carriage comprising end-members' at the top of the carriage and fotengaging drop-table sections, each comprising 'side and cross-beams, and a drop-center member below the end-members, comprising side and vertical beams, which 'provides a work-space extending transversely across the carriage and between the end members'thereof, andmechanism, supported on'the truck, for raising and lowering the carriage to lift the drop-table sections.

5. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel in a pit, a vertically movable lifting-carriage comprising end-members at the top of the carriage and a depending structure rigidlyconnecting, and below, the endmembers, forming a work-space extending transversely across the carriage andbetween the endmembers, a low-level platform carried by said structure, and mechanism on the truck for raising and lowering the carriage, the depending structure being} disposed to partially telescope with the'truck. l

6. In drop-pit apparatus, 'thecombination of a truck adapted to travel in'a pit, a vertically movable lifting carriage comprisingend-members at the top of the carriage and a depending structure rigidly-connecting, and below, the end-members, forming a work-space extending transversely across the carriage and between the end-members,"a low-level platform carried by, and movable relatively to, said structure, mechanism on the truck for raising and lowering the carriage, and means on the truck for engaging and retaining the platform. whenthe carriage is lowered.

7. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel in a pit, a vertically movable lifting carriage comprising end-members at the top of the carriage and a depending structure rigidly connecting. and below, the end-members, forming a work-space extending transversely across the carriage and between the end-members; aalow-level platform carriedby, and movable relatively to, said structure, mechanism on the truck for raising and lowering the carriage, a slidable connection between the platform on the truck, and means on the truck for engaging and retaining the platform when the carriage is lowered. v

8. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel in a pit, a vertically movable lifting-carriage comprising end-members at the top of the carriage and a depending structure rigidly connecting, and below, the end-members, forming a work-space extending transversely across the carriage and between the end-members, a low-level platform carried by said structure and comprising a foldable extension, and mechanism on the truck for raising and lowering the carriage. 1 3

9. In drop-pit apparatus, a drop-table comprising a plurality of vertically and independently movable table-sections, each provided with a railsection adapted to bridge the pit, the sections being separated from each other to leave a work,- space between them, means for separately and releasably supporting each section from the pit, a truck movable in the pit, lifting-mechanism carried by the truck comprising a lifting-carriage, and meansbetween the carriage and each of the table-sections for locking each of the table-sections and the carriage against relative transverse and longitudinal movement when the carriage is brought into engagement with the table-sections.

10. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel ina pit, a vertically movable carriage for raising andlowering a droptable which extends over and across the pit, a single pair of vertical columns disposed at the transverse center and adjacent the ends of the truck and substantially at the longitudinal center and adjacent to the sides of the carriage, each column being provided with vertically extending faces on opposite sides thereof, a single pair of raising and lowering elements for the carriage also disposed at the transverse center of the truck and the longitudinal center of the carriage, and. guide-elements at the sides of, and spaced apart vertically on, the carriage and engaging the op posite faces of each of the pair of columns, res'pectively, the engagement of the guide-elements with the opposite faces of the single pair of columns being adapted to prevent the tilting of the carriage transversely of the truck by an offcenter load on the drop-table.

11. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel in a pit, a vertically movable carriage .for raising and lowering a drop-table which extends over and acrossthe pit, a single pair of vertical columns disposed at the transverse center and adjacent the ends of the truck and substantially at the longitudinal center and adjacent to the sides of the carriage, each column being provided with vertically extending faces on opposite sides thereof, a single pair of raising and lowering elements for the carriage also disposed at the transverse center of the truck and the longitudinal center of the carriage, and rollers at the sides of, and spaced apart vertically on, the carriage and engaging the opposite faces of each of the pair of columns,respectively, the engagement of the rollers with the opposite faces of the single pair of columns being adapted to prevent the tilting of the carriage transversely of the truck by an off-center load on the droptable.

12. Indrop-pit apparatus, the combination 01' a truck adapted to travel in a pit, a vertically movable carriage for a drop-table which extends over and across the pit, comprising beams extending longitudinally of, and spaced apart transversely of, the truck, and connecting beams at the sides of the carriage, a single pair. of vertical columns disposed at the transverse center, and adjacent the ends, of the truck and substantially at the longitudinal center of the carriage and between the longitudinally extending beams of the carriage, each column being provided with vertically extending outer faces on opposite sides thereof, a single pair of screws for raising and lowering the carriage also disposed at the trans verse center of the truck and the longitudinal center of the carriage and guide-elements adjacent the sides of, and spacedapart vertically on,-the carriage and engaging the opposite faces 1 of each of the columns, respectively, the engagement of the guide-elements with the opposite faces of the single pair of columns beingadapted to prevent the tilting of the carriage transversely of the truck by an oif center load on th'edroptable.

13.1n drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted'to travel in aipit, a verticallyat the longitudinal center of the carriage and inwardly of the connecting beams, and between the longitudinally extending beams of the car riage, each column being provided with vertically extending outer faces on opposite sides thereof, a singlepair of screws for raising and lowering the carriage also disposed at the transverse center of the truck and the longitudinal center of the carriage and guide-elements adjacent the sides of, and spaced apart vertically on, thecarriage and engaging, the opposite faces of the columns, respectively, and the engagement of the guide-elements with the opposite faces of the single pair of columns being adapted to prevent the tilting of the carriage transversely of the truck by an off-center load on the drop-table.

14. In drop-pit apparatus, the combination of .a truck adapted to travel in a pit; a. vertically movable carriage for a drop-table which extends over and across the pit, comprising beams extending longitudinally of, and spaced apart transversely of, the truck, connecting beams at the sides of the carriage, a single pair of vertical columns disposed at the transverse center, and adjacent the ends, of the truck and at the longitudinal centerof the carriage between the longitudinally extending beams of the carriage, each column being provided with vertically extending outer faces on opposite sides thereof, a single pair of screws for raising and lowering the carriage also disposed at the transverse center of the truck and the longitudinal center of the carriage and a pair of guide-rollers adjacent the sides of, and spaced apart vertically on, the carriage and engaging the opposite faces of each of the columns, respectively, the engagement of the rollers with the opposite faces of the single pair of elements being adapted to prevent the tilting of the carriage transverselyiof the truck by an olfcenter load on the drop-table. 1

15. In-drop-pit apparatus, the combination of a truck adapted to travel longitudinally in a pit, 7s

a drop-table provided with rails for bridging and extending transversely across the pit, a vertireally n1ovab1e lifting carriage for the dropetable extending longitudinally of the truck and comprising cross-beams parallel to and under the rails of the drop-table, a single pair of vertical columns disposed at the transverse center of the truck and at the longitudinal center and adjacent .of each-of the columns, respectively, the engagement of the guide-elements with the opposite faces of the single pair of columns being adapted to prevent the tilting of the carriage transversely V of the truck by an off-center load on the rails of the drop-table. v i

16. In drop-pit apparatus; the combination of a truck adapted to travel longitudinally in a pit,

a drop-table provided with rails for bridging and extending transversely across the pit, a vertically movable lifting carriage for the drop-table extending longitudinally of the truck and comprising cross-beams parallel to and under "the rails of the drop-table, a single pair of vertical columns disposed at the transverse center of the truck and at the longitudinal center and adjacent the sides of the carriage, each column being provided with vertically extending faces on opposite sides thereof, a single pair of raising and lowering elements for the carriage, also disposed at the,

transverse center .of the truck and the longitudinal center of the carriage, and a pair of rollers adjacent the sides of, and spaced apart vertically on, the carriage and engaging the opposite faces of each of the pairs of columns, respectively, the engagement of the guide-elements with the opposite faces of the single pair of columns being adapted to prevent the tilting of the carriage transversely of the truck by an off-center load on the rails of the drop-table.

' FRANK FONES. 

